THE State Minister for Ambulance Services and the Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas, and the Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh visited Foster on Wednesday, October 23 to officially open a new state-of-the-art ambulance branch in the town.
Minister Thomas said it was all about supporting our hardworking paramedics to do what they do best – save lives in their community.
The new modern amenities will enhance safety, security, and capabilities at the new branch, supporting a team of nine paramedics and 11 ambulance community officers.
“In regional areas like Foster, we know locals rely on their expertise and compassion of our hardworking paramedics in times of crisis. It is why new stations are so important to ensuring they are safe and comfortable at work,” said Minister Thomas on Wednesday.
“This new station will give our local paramedics the modern, fit-for-purpose workplace they deserve, while ensuring they have the best facilities to continue doing what they do best; save lives.”
Mr McIntosh said the developments at Foster were part of a program of improvements across the region.
“Foster is the latest of several new, modern ambulance stations in Gippsland, all fantastic investments in the local community as well as the local paramedic workforce, the regional health system, emergency services and the care provided to local residents.” Mr McIntosh said.
Upgrades include a four-bay garage for ambulances, four rest and recline areas for paramedics to recuperate, training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, car parking and improved security to make sure crews are safe right around the clock.
The new Foster station is part of the Labor Government’s ongoing support of Ambulance Victoria infrastructure, with $279 million invested since 2015 to deliver 51 ambulance stations, providing better working conditions for paramedics and ensuring lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians.
With the opening of the new Foster branch, the Labor Government has now built seven stations to provide extra support in the Gippsland region including in Moe, Morwell, Orbost, Paynesville, Traralgon and Warragul.
Alongside improved infrastructure, the State Government has invested in a range of initiatives to improve access to emergency ambulance services in regional Victoria – increasing the number of dual paramedic crews, including at Foster, 24-hour ambulance stations and dedicated units that can respond to peak periods of demand.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 also delivered more than $200 million in funding to improve access to emergency care, with an additional $46 million investment towards training additional mobile intensive care ambulance paramedics, establishing 25 paramedic practitioners and supporting the new Centre for Paramedicine. Helping to meet the growing needs of the state, a further $146 million from the Victorian Budget 2024/25 is supporting services like the Secondary Triage Service and Medium Acuity Transport Services, freeing up paramedics so they are available to respond to the most time-critical patients.
The specific cost of the Foster project has not been revealed.
